Boult Wade Tennant
Service » Global plant breeders’ rights and national listings

We have a growing practice and specialist expertise in supporting major horticultural and biopharma clients in relation to plant breeders’ rights and national listings. The team is equipped to assist clients in national listings for plant varieties within the UK as well as obtaining rights across Europe. We also offer expert advice on the potential infringement risks associated with plant variety rights held by third parties.

 

What we do

Secure and preserve
  • We have significant experience in filing and prosecuting applications for plant breeders’ rights (known as plant variety rights in some countries) and national listings in the UK for our clients.
  • In this regard, we regularly act before the Plant Variety Rights Office of the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and have filed many applications using UPOV PRISMA.
  • We are regularly appointed as agent for existing UK plant breeders’ rights, particularly those created when the UK left the EU, and based upon former corresponding Community plant variety rights.
  • We are also able to coordinate the filing of plant variety right and national listing applications outside of the UK, including in the EU.

Technical toolkits

Services

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Patents

Our European, UK and German experts advise on the creation, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights across a wide range of sectors. They provide creative IP solutions and outstanding client service.

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Trade marks

Our highly skilled experts are experienced negotiators and have particular expertise in the management of large portfolios; searching and watching; domain name recovery; and trading standards and customs work.

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Designs

The team can advise clients across a wide range of industries on matters of design law and practice. They combine their commercial knowledge with legal expertise to provide high quality advice that is always pragmatic.

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Insights

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IP updates
A standalone designation for Jersey under WIPO’s Madrid System

From 1 August 2026, Jersey becomes an independent Madrid System designation. Brand owners must separately designate Jersey for new filings, renewals and subsequent designations.

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IP updates
Algeria membership of the Hague Apostille Convention

From 9 July 2026, Algeria's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention will simplify document attestation for IP matters between member countries, replacing multi-stage legalisation with Apostille.

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IP updates
Swatch v Samsung: can brand prestige justify a landmark trade mark damages award?

Swatch's US$170m claim against Samsung could reshape UK trade mark damages by recognising the commercial value of brand reputation, exclusivity and goodwill in the digital economy.

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IP updates
Technical function in designs - Decathlon v Delta-Sport and Chiaro v Mayborn

The EASYBREATH and Elvie decisions show how technical function can limit design protection and why evidence of aesthetic design choices remains crucial.

INSIGHTS

Patents